Nanjing Spring Festival Activities Summary
The 2026 Spring Festival holiday runs from February 15th (Lunar December 28, Sunday) to February 23rd (Lunar January 7, Monday), lasting 9 days in total. Many locations in Nanjing have launched Spring Festival-themed cultural and tourism activities, including lantern festivals, bell-ringing ceremonies, fireworks shows, and New Year markets, offering diverse experiences.
[Laomendong Spring Festival Lantern Festival]
Lighting hours are daily from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM. At the entrance of San Tiao Ying Alley, there is a blessing tree. The recommended lantern viewing route is Laomendong Archway → Twelve Zodiac Lanterns → Blessing Tree → Lantern Tunnel → Pegasus Lanterns under the City Wall. The golden hour for photos is from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM when the light is soft and the crowd is moderate. The blend of blue bricks, black tiles, and traditional lanterns creates a rich festive atmosphere with an elegant ancient charm, perfect for family strolls, couples’ photo spots, and Hanfu photography.
[Qinhuai Lantern Festival · Confucius Temple Main Venue]
The annual national intangible cultural heritage lantern festival along the Qinhuai River is fully lit. The classic route includes the North Gate Archway of Confucius Temple, Central Square, Wenyuan Bridge, Pingjiang Bridge, Wende Bridge, Wuyi Lane, and the South Gate Archway, connecting the cultural heritage of the Six Dynasties with local life. The pedestrian street area is free to enter, with special night viewing arrangements at venues like Dacheng Hall. The Qinhuai River, with its boat sounds and lantern reflections, recreates the millennium splendor of the "Cultural Hub of the World" in a dazzling display.
[Bailuzhou Park Intangible Cultural Heritage Lantern Exhibition]
Showcasing selected intangible cultural heritage lantern masterpieces nationwide, the highlight is the 60-meter-long dynamic lantern group "Five Horses Crossing the River," which combines historical legends with modern light and shadow technology, grand in scale. The park’s waterside paths and secluded trails reflect the lanterns in the Qinhuai River, creating an immersive night tour experience blending poetry and painting, ideal for culture enthusiasts to deeply appreciate traditional festival customs.
[Xinanli Street Ancient Style Lantern Scene]
Lighting starts daily at 5:30 PM. Lanterns pave a starry long street, fish lanterns sway gently in the wind. During the blue hour (around 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM), the lights come on, and the blue bricks and black tiles instantly transform into a Tang and Song dynasty style live painting. The street integrates handmade crafts, tea shops, and small theaters, allowing visitors to stroll, take photos, and enjoy refreshments, perfectly capturing a relaxed New Year vibe.
[Qinhuai Lantern Festival · Southern New City Sub-venue]
With the theme "Brilliant Colors Illuminate the Nine Provinces, Happy Chinese New Year," the festival fully lights up from January 17th at 5:30 PM. Two major themed lantern exhibition areas are open to the public for free. The combination of modern urban space and traditional lantern creativity offers both grand narratives and delicate expressions, showcasing the cultural warmth and contemporary vitality of Nanjing’s new city.
[Qiaobei Business District Mountain and Sea Mythical Beasts Lantern Festival]
The event runs from January 1st to March 31st, 2026, featuring 23 large themed lantern groups distributed across various commercial areas. The entrance of the Yangtze River Bridge transforms into a light and shadow art corridor. The lantern viewing route extends along Jiangshan Road and North Bridge Road, accompanied by intangible cultural heritage interactions, festive vendors, and photo spots, creating a one-stop New Year leisure experience combining lantern viewing, shopping, dining, and interaction.
[Niushou Mountain New Year's Eve Bell-Ringing Ceremony]
On February 17th, 2026, around 12:15 AM, the New Year bell-ringing ceremony will be held on the 8th floor of the Foding Pagoda at Foding Square. From this high vantage point, the bell’s sound echoes far across the southern hills of Jinling, symbolizing bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, praying for health and peace. It is a special New Year experience blending ritual significance with mountain and water Zen charm.
[Puguang Temple & Amitabha Zen Temple New Year Blessing]
Nanjing Puguang Temple will hold a bell-ringing blessing ceremony at 11:30 PM on New Year’s Eve, February 16th, 2026; Amitabha Zen Temple will hold its New Year bell-ringing event at midnight on the same day (Lunar December 29). Both are ancient temples with profound heritage, where the deep and lasting bell sounds invite worshippers to quietly pray, burn incense, and make wishes, welcoming the New Year in a solemn atmosphere.
[Tangshan Outlet Dazzling Fireworks Show]
Held nightly on February 7–8 and February 14–15, 2026. Combining music flash mobs, romantic photo spots, and high-altitude fireworks, the show is fast-paced and lively, creating a romantic and dynamic New Year night tour option for young people.
[Garden Expo Park New Year Fireworks Show]
From February 16th to 20th, 2026, every night from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM, fireworks will be launched in the Floating Stone Underground Palace area at Gate 2 of Garden Expo Park. Leveraging the park’s natural landscape and industrial heritage backdrop, the fireworks intertwine with light, architecture, and nature, presenting a grand and artistically designed audiovisual feast.
[2026 Nanjing Spring Festival New Year Market]
Held from January 27th to February 13th at the Nanjing International Exhibition Center, gathering local specialty New Year goods, intangible cultural heritage crafts, cultural and creative products, and festive foods. With a rich variety and strong festive atmosphere, it is the ideal place to buy New Year gifts and experience folk customs.
[Xiangtang Market & “Fortune Fills Dingshan” New Year Market]
Xiangtang Market will be held on February 7–8 at the Dama Ying Lawn; the “Fortune Fills Dingshan” New Year Market is open daily from now until February 10th, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, at the intersection of Huafu Road and Daxin Road. Both are open-air markets full of lively atmosphere and strong interactivity, where visitors can find handmade crafts, taste snacks, write Spring Festival couplets, and receive blessing characters, fully enjoying authentic Nanjing New Year flavors.
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Other visitors' reviews of Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
Show More ReviewsThis trip to the Yangtze River was truly therapeutic; the river view was breathtaking. The river was wide and calm, shimmering in the sunlight, with lush green trees lining both banks. The city buildings and the river reflected each other beautifully, making every snapshot a masterpiece. Strolling along the riverside path, feeling the gentle breeze and watching the boats glide by, was incredibly relaxing. At dusk, the sunset cast its glow on the river, creating a truly immersive atmosphere, and the night view was dazzling with lights—absolutely mesmerizing. With convenient transportation and excellent amenities, it's perfect for relaxation, taking photos, and is a must-visit hidden gem in the city. The experience was fantastic, and I highly recommend everyone come and experience this tranquility!